Middleton woman survives seven-metre fall down Cape and Sand cliff

A Middleton woman fell down a seven-metre cliff at Cape and Sand just west of Cottage Cove mid-afternoon on Sept. 4. She suffered shoulder injuries but her husband, and later first responders, were able to help her back to safety and up a washed out road to a waiting ambulance.

A Middleton woman fell down a seven-metre cliff at Cape and Sand just west of Cottage Cove mid-afternoon on Sept. 4. She suffered shoulder injuries but her husband, and later first responders, were able to help her back to safety and up a washed out road to a waiting ambulance.

A Middleton woman fell down a seven-metre cliff at Cape and Sand just west of Cottage Cove mid-afternoon on Sept. 4. She suffered shoulder injuries but her husband, and later first responders, were able to help her back to safety and up a washed out road to a waiting ambulance.

A Middleton woman fell down a seven-metre cliff at Cape and Sand just west of Cottage Cove mid-afternoon on Sept. 4. She suffered shoulder injuries but her husband, and later first responders, were able to help her back to safety and up a washed out road to a waiting ambulance.

A Middleton woman fell down a seven-metre cliff at Cape and Sand just west of Cottage Cove mid-afternoon on Sept. 4. She suffered shoulder injuries but her husband, and later first responders, were able to help her back to safety and up a washed out road to a waiting ambulance.

A Middleton woman fell down a seven-metre cliff at Cape and Sand just west of Cottage Cove mid-afternoon on Sept. 4. She suffered shoulder injuries but her husband, and later first responders, were able to help her back to safety and up a washed out road to a waiting ambulance.

A Middleton woman fell down a seven-metre cliff at Cape and Sand just west of Cottage Cove mid-afternoon on Sept. 4. She suffered shoulder injuries but her husband, and later first responders, were able to help her back to safety and up a washed out road to a waiting ambulance.

A retired couple in their 70s were walking their dog along the cliff at the popular Cape and Sand area just west of Cottage Cove when the soil beneath the woman’s feet gave way and she slipped over the edge.

Her husband said he managed to get her part way up to safety but couldn’t help her the rest of the way. That’s when first responders were called. Port Lorne fire received the call at 3:11 p.m. and responded along with Bridgetown fire, EHS, and RCMP.

Bridgetown fire brought their Gator off-road vehicle that was used to get down the washed out and rocky road to the shoreline.

First responders cleared away debris and created an easier way back up the rocks and helped the woman to safety, her husband said.

Paramedics at the scene put the woman’s arm in a sling and helped her to the waiting Gator that transported her part way up the trail to where an ambulance was waiting in the trees. She was taken to Shore Road East and from there down Mount Hanley Road and to hospital.

The woman’s husband said they often walk their spaniel Oliver along the shoreline, usually to the west towards the caves. This time they saw a bald eagle to the east and went that way instead.

Cape and Sand is a popular spot with locals for excursions along the rocky cliffs, rock climbing, photography, and picnics. In years past it was a favourite party spot. Access to the shore has deteriorated over the years but there is still parking space and a turn-around place on Shore Road East, giving people the option to walk in on the old, washed out road.